OU coach receives Most Courageous Award

ST. LOUIS – Oakland University women’s basketball coach Beckie Francis was named the winner of the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award, presented by the United States Basketball Writers Association on Thursday. A victim of childhood sexual abuse, Francis has achieved a successful coaching career and now serves as an advocate for sexual abuse victims in addition to coaching.

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Francis. “It wasn’t easy to speak out after years of silence, but to receive support and encouragement like this reinforces just how important it is not to remain silent on the topic of sexual abuse. I am grateful to the USBWA for their support.”

After suffering in silence for years, Francis spoke out about being the victim of sexual abuse at a local event in 2011. Having received positive feedback from the event, which included support from other victims who were encouraged by her story, Francis continued to share. In 2012, she again broke the silence by sharing her story publicly in articles for both the Associated Press and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Magazine.

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Inspired to prevent others from suffering as she had, Francis became involved with Erin Merryn, an abuse victim who was working to pass legislation that requires states to provide age appropriate education for students regarding sexual abuse. Francis’ personal testimony was instrumental in getting the bill passed through both the House and Senate in Michigan and signed into law in January of 2013.

The roles of advocate and basketball coach coalesced for Francis on Jan. 12, 2013, when Oakland hosted the inaugural Awareness Without Fear game at the Athletics Center O’rena. The Golden Grizzlies recognized the legislatures involved with passing Erin’s Law during the game against North Dakota State. Oakland also managed to raise awareness and funding for HAVEN and CARE House, collecting over $1,000 for each of the local organizations, which support victims of abuse and assault

“No one wants to talk about the topic of sexual abuse,” said Francis. “It’s uncomfortable. But that kind of reluctance is what we have to fight against. Sharing my story has made me free and I hope that sharing my story inspires others to tell and get help just like I did. Educating children about how to ‘get away and tell today’ is the first step and Erin’s Law will give kids the knowledge they need.”

On the court, Francis has led Oakland to 227 wins, which ranks second in program history. A two-time Summit League coach of the Year, she has twice taken Oakland to the NCAA tournament and has led the school to a total of four postseason appearances at the Division I level. Having guided the program through the transition from Division II to Division I, she has taken the Golden Grizzlies to the Summit League championship game seven times in the past 13 years. She ranks third in overall and league wins by a Summit League coach and is second among active coaches in Summit League winning percentage.

Now in its 25th year, the Most Courageous Award is the third oldest award presented by the USBWA, behind only the male and female player of the year awards. Former recipients of the award include Jim Valvano, Steve Kerr and Pat Summitt. Last year, the female award was named after Summitt, the longtime coach at Tennessee. The award will be presented to Francis at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in New Orleans.